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Paloma PTA Reflections Program Rules

These rules are based on the rules of the National PTA Reflections Program, but have been altered slightly as appropriate to eliminate rules that do not apply to Paloma students and to add local and state rules and deadlines. Please read these rules carefully to avoid disqualification. Changes have been made over the years.

General Student Participation Rules

All students must adhere to the following general rules in addition to the rules specific to their arts area.

2003-2004 Theme: "I am really happy when..."

Only new pieces of artwork inspired by the theme are acceptable.

Eligibility of Student Through Local PTA Unit

Students must participate in the Reflections Program through a PTA/PTSA unit in good standing. All students of Paloma Elementary are eligible to participate through the sponsorship of the Paloma PTA.

Grade Divisions

Students may enter the Reflections Program in the appropriate division for their grade. The divisions relevant to Paloma students are as follows:

Children with Disabilities

National PTA believes that each child with a disability should be provided a free and appropriate education. Therefore, the Reflections Program at the national level does not have a special division for students with disabilities. National PTA believes it is the right of parents to place their child in the Reflections Program grade division that best reflects the child's developmental age. However, guidelines for state and local Reflections Programs vary. Check with your state PTA to determine its divisions.

Arts Areas

Students may submit works in any of the four arts areas:

Where Students May Create the Works

A student may develop an entry in or outside of school.

Originality

Each entry must be the original work of one student only. An adult may not alter, change, or enhance the creative integrity of a student's work. Because the program is designed to encourage and recognize each student's individual creativity, help from an adult or collaboration with other students is not allowed.

Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. No copyrighted material may be used in creating an original work. Photos of copyrighted material are not acceptable. Visual arts collages need to contain material that is not copyrighted. Literature and musical composition entries must also not contain any copyrighted material.

Number of Entries Submitted

Paloma entry limit (per student): 1 entry per category A Paloma student may submit up to 4 entries, provided they are all submitted into different arts areas.

Plagiarism

Plagiarized entries will be disqualified and returned to the student. Plagiarism is defined as "to take and use" (another person's ideas or writings or inventions) as one's own.

Entry Form

All participants are required to fill out and sign the OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM in its entirety. Students who have not completely filled out the form will not be eligible for the program. In situations where a student cannot fill out the entry form or write legibly, a parent may sign her/his child's name. A separate OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM must be completed for each entry submitted.

Identifying Information

Entries should not contain any identifying information, including, but not limited to, name, age, and grade in school. All identifying information should be included on the OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM and should not be visible when entry forms are detached or covered. Failure to comply with this requirement will disqualify an entry from judging. (Exception: Literature entries must have the student's name on the BACK of each page.)

Title and Interpretation of Work

Students have the option of placing the title of their work on the OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM and answering a few questions about how they created the work as indicated by the arts area rules.

Deadlines

Paloma deadline: Thursday, January 8, 2004, 3:00 p.m. at the Paloma office

Entries are to be submitted at the Paloma office by 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2004. This is a strict deadline. No late entries will be accepted. Entries may  be submitted early. Please contact the Reflections Program Coordinator if you would like to submit an entry before January 5, 2004.

Judging Criteria

All entries are judged on artistic merit, creativity, and interpretation of the theme.

Under no conditions may parents or students contact the judges to dispute the status of an entry. All decisions of the judges are final.

Return of Artwork

All entries in the Paloma Reflections Program will be exhibited for viewing following the award reception, which will occur between the end of judging and the state deadline (exact date and times to be announced). Any entry not advancing to the next level of judging may be picked up following the exhibit or will be returned through classroom teachers the next day. Entries sent to the state or national level will be subject to the return policy of the final level achieved.

The State PTA returns entries through the school PTA. This may take several months following submission of entries to the State PTA to allow for judging and a State PTA Reflections reception.

If an entry receives a national-level award, the original artwork will be displayed as a part of the National PTA Reflections Program Traveling Exhibit for one year. Following the completion of the exhibit, National PTA will make its best effort to return the photography and visual arts entries to the students by the following September. National music and literature entries will not be returned.

Further Information

General information, including information about the positions of Reflections Program Coordinator and Judging Coordinator, may be obtained from the Paloma PTA Executive Board. Information concerning judging activities may be obtained from the Judging Coordinator. All other information, including information about submitting entries or volunteering to help, may be obtained from the Paloma PTA Reflections Program Coordinator.

Literature Rules

Students must adhere to the General Student Participation Rules in addition to the following Literature Rules:

DESCRIPTION

Literature entries may be works of fiction or nonfiction in prose, poetry, drama, song lyrics, and short stories.

PRESENTATION

Copies or carbons of the student's original work are fully acceptable. Copies will receive the same consideration as originals.

Entries may be handwritten or typed on a typewriter or computer by the student. All pages must be numbered.

Entries may be illustrated with pictures drawn by the student; however, the entries will be judged only on literary content.

Grammar, punctuation, and spelling

Entries are expected to reflect grade-appropriate grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

Length

Entries must not exceed 2,000 words.

Size

Literature entries may be submitted on any kind of paper, not to exceed 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches.

Format

Literature entries must be submitted in a manila file folder, with the Official Entry Form stapled to the back of the folder. Entries may not be mounted. The student's name must be written on the back of each page, in case pages are separated.

Collections of Works

Collections of poems or short stories are not accepted. Entries must be submitted separately.

ASSISTANCE IN WRITING

Physically challenged students or students in kindergarten or 1st grade may dictate to another person who may type or write down the original work. Older students may have their entries typed by another person as long as the original work or a copy of the original work is attached. Transcribers should make every attempt to retain the same level of language and accuracy as that of the student's original entry.

ENTRIES FOR ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) STUDENTS

Students for whom English is not the first language may submit a literature entry in their own language. The entry must be accompanied by an interpretive translation. Physically challenged students or students in kindergarten or 1st grade may dictate to another person who may type or write down the original work. The dictated original must be accompanied by an interpretive translation. Translators should make every attempt to retain the same level of language and accuracy as that of the student's original entry.

OPTIONAL

Literature Question
On the Official Entry Form, describe what inspired you to do this work and how it was done.

Musical Composition Rules

Students must adhere to the General Student Participation Rules in addition to the following Musical Composition Rules:

DESCRIPTION

Students may submit original musical compositions with or without lyrics, which must be the original work of one student and may not exceed five minutes. A cappella (voice with no instruments) or instrumental compositions are acceptable.

LENGTH

May not exceed five minutes.

PERFORMANCE

Students are not required to perform their own compositions.

PRESENTATION

All age divisions must submit an audiocassette or CD recording of the composition. Students must submit notation as required by their age division.

Recommendations for Quality Recordings

  1. Record only on a name brand, new cassette of C-60 length or less (not on C-90 or 120).
  2. Use only high bias or chrome formula tape and be sure your tape deck is set for that. Don't use metal formula tape. Don't record at too loud a level (in the "red" on the meter).
  3. Definitely record with Dolby B Noise Reductions!
  4. Before recording, make the room you record in as quiet as possible. Close the windows and turn off all noise-making devices in the room, such as air-conditioners, fans, telephones, etc.
  5. Make a short test and listen to it. Then rewind and start over. Let the tape run 30 seconds, then state your name and the title of the piece. Wait about 10 or 15 seconds, then start the music. Don't start right on the plastic head-leader!
  6. Let at least 30 seconds of silence go by after the piece ends before stopping the machine, to avoid the end being ruined by machines pops, clicks, or other noises.
  7. Remove safety tabs from cassette. Remove safety record-tabs on the thin end of the cassette when totally done taping to eliminate the possibility of the composition being recorded over accidentally.

Required

Audiocassettes or CDs must be submitted in a plastic or cardboard container, and both the audiocassette or CD and the container should be identified with the student's name, grade division, address, Paloma PTA, the entry's title, and playing time. The audiocassette or CD should be packaged with the manuscript (if required) in a large envelope.

Please secure the Official Entry Form to the outside of the envelope.

Use of Composition Software

MIDI sequencer software is acceptable. Synthesized performances are acceptable.

Algorithmic composition software, such as Band in a Box is not accepted.
Real time = all performances must be played in real time without any speed altering techniques used.

Student compositions may be submitted by hand or on computer paper appropriate for instrumentation and voicing. Spiral notebooks are not accepted.

Notation Requirements

Primary and Intermediate
No notation is required. Iconic notation may be submitted. Iconic notation is "made-up" notation; a written or drawn analog to the sounds of the composition.

Judging

Artistic merit, creativity, and interpretation of the theme are the criteria for judging. The musical thought is supported by the quality or accuracy of the notation and performance, but they are not considered judging criteria.

Score Size

Entries should be no larger than 11 inches by 14 inches, except band and orchestra compositions may be 11 inches by 16 inches. Do not mount or bind the scores.

REQUIRED

On the Official Entry Form, please answer the following:

OPTIONAL

What inspired you to do this work and how was it done?

Photography Rules

Students must adhere to the General Student Participation Rules in addition to the following Photography Rules:

DESCRIPTION

Any of the following process is acceptable. Processes not listed are also acceptable, but the original photograph must be taken by the student.

Size

A single print or collage may not exceed 11 inches by 14 inches, including a mat.

Prints: A singular photographic print taken by one student with an instamatic, automatic, or panoramic camera. Photographs can be black and white or color. Photographs may be developed professionally. Prints from slides and transparencies are not acceptable entries. Any type of photographic paper or film used in the process is acceptable.

Retouched Prints: A print taken by the student that has been painted, drawn on, stained, or marked on by the student.

Collage: An assemblage of photographs taken by the student. A collage of photographs not taken by the student should be submitted as a Visual Arts entry. A collage should be assembled with strong glue or paste. Spray adhesive should not be used.

Sandwich: The sandwiching or layering of one negative, or many, on top of another, to print one singular negative.

Multiple Exposure: A singular print from a negative that has been exposed more than once. A photo is taken, but the film is not advanced, and then a second or series of additional images are taken.

Computer-Generated Art: If a student takes a photo, scans it, adds clip art or another graphic that is not the student's photograph, and prints it on regular paper, it is a Visual Arts piece. If a student takes a photo, scans it, adds other of his/her own photos, and prints on special photographic paper, then it is a Photography entry. If a student uses interpretive software on a photo taken by the student, it is a Photography entry.

PRESENTATION

All prints must be mounted on a cardboard mat, poster board, or some other sturdy material. Frames of any type are unacceptable. Shrink-wrapping is optional, but highly recommended. Multiple-page or three-dimensional entries are not allowed. Place Official Entry Form in a sheet protector and tape (with masking tape) to the back of the photograph.

OPTIONAL

Photography Question
On the Official Entry Form, explain what process, tools, and techniques you used.

What inspired you to do this work and how was it done?

Visual Arts Rules

Students must adhere to the General Student Participation Rules in addition to the following Visual Arts Rules:

DESCRIPTION

Any of the following processes are acceptable for creating visual works of art. Works of art must be flat and may not exceed a 3/8 thickness. Artwork may not exceed 24 inches by 30 inches.

Prints: All graphic process, such as linoleum cuts, serigraphs, woodcuts, computer-generated art, or vegetable prints.

Drawings: All types of drawings are acceptable, including pencil, charcoal, chalk, ink, crayon, colored pencil, pastels, and any other medium used for drawing and sketching.

Paintings: All kinds, including tempera, oil, acrylic, and watercolor. Paintings on canvas must be un-stretched when submitted. (Paintings cannot be submitted on any kind of stretcher or stretcher strips.) Paintings on canvas may be submitted on foam board or cardboard. T-shirt paintings will be accepted, but they must be mounted.

Collage: All materials and images that are two-dimensional. Nothing three-dimensional may extend off the surface of the work. Noodles, beans, beads, and boxes are not acceptable materials. Small, flat items, such as string, fabric, and screening that have maximum surface contact with the face of the image are acceptable.

Photographic Collage: A collage constructed of photographic images not taken by the student should be submitted under the Visual Arts area. A collage of photographs taken by the student should be submitted under the Photography area if the artwork is 11 inches by 14 inches or smaller.

Metal Etching or Punch Work: Metal etching or punch work is acceptable. Take proper precautions to cover corners of metal.

Fiber Work: Any original fiber work, needlework, or sewn design is acceptable as long as it is securely mounted. No kits are allowed, only original designs. No houses or three-dimensional needlework pieces. Leather tooling is acceptable.

Computer Generated Art: If a student takes a photo, scans it, adds clip art, or another graphic that is not the student's photograph, and prints on regular paper, it is a Visual Arts piece. If a student takes a photo, scans it, adds other of his/her own photos, and prints on special photographic paper, then it is a Photography entry.

PRESENTATION

Entries may be submitted on paper, canvas board, cardboard, hot or cold pressboard, or canvas (not to exceed 3/8 inch thickness). Entries on paper or canvas must be mounted on sturdy cardboard mats, but not in wooden frames, metal, plastic, or glass. Shrink-wrapping is optional, but highly recommended. Lamination is not the same as shrink-wrapping, and while a laminated work will not be disqualified, it is discouraged because it can permanently damage the surface of the artwork. Place Official Entry Form in a sheet protector and tape (with masking tape) to the back of the visual arts piece.

WORKS NOT ACCEPTED FOR VISUAL ARTS AREA

Sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, and other three-dimensional artwork are not eligible for entry. Reproductions and enlargements of other artwork are not considered original work.

OPTIONAL

Visual Arts Question
On the Official Entry Form, explain what process, tools, and techniques you used.

What inspired you to do this work and how was it done?